I bought this truck back in October and just have preformed my first oil change @5,000 mi.
While under the truck, I noticed two frame brackets welded to the frame just forward of the front stabilizer bar mounts. These brackets appear to have no purpose other than to bust your head when sliding under the truck. I can't imagine that Ford would waste the steel and welding cost for installing useless brackets and would really like to know why they are there. The brackets extend down vertically from the frame about 5 inches. There are no holes in the brackets and they do not appear to protect anything. Thanks for any information.

 

Post up some pics and/or more information on what truck it is and we can try to help!

 

sounds almost like old plow brackets that were cut off above the bolts.

 

Welcome to Ranger-Forums!

 

Welcome!

 

i dont know if im thinking of the same thing but theres 1 on each side?
im thinking of the jack stand mounts for when you lift your vehicle with a floor jack.

pics would help!

 

yeah i was about to say the jack stand mounts. just some little nubs with a rounded bottom?

 

I was thinking Jackstand mounts to. Hopefully he'll chime back in. Welcome to R-F though!

 

Thanks for your replies, I have added a picture of the bracket to my original post as an attachment.I look forward to your comments. Thanks again.

 

Those arent stock but im not sure what they would be for.

 

The brackets are stock. The truck is right off the dealers lot. If you look at a 2011 truck, you may or may not see them. I just can't figure out why they are on mine. Thanks.

 

then how about some details on your truck? year? motor? 4x4 or 2x4?

 

My Ranger is the 2011 Sport model, 4.0 L, manual,4x2, HD suspension with torsion bars, and 235/75R15 tires.

 

Heh.

Thats where the Frame got picked up at the Factory. Theres a Jig that those two brackets fit right into. They're welded you say? Usually they're just tacked on there and knocked off when the frame comes off the lift.

 

heh. that's funny. knock em off!

 

Alex, Sounds like you know the reason for the brackets. These are really bead welded on and not just tacked on. I was thinking about cutting them off with plasma cutter and abrasive grinding the beads smooth with the frame, but am concerned about heating up the frame and destroying the frame temper. How did you guys at the factory get them off? Thanks,
Bob

 

Go back to where you bought it and have them take care of it. They should know that, that piece doesn't belong and should be removed.

 

I don't know how they come off at the factory.
I know how they got put on because i know the guy who's welds the robots mimic'd

Its going to take a little bit more that a Plasma cutter to destroy the Frame temper. If they bother you that bad, go for it on cutting them off. Just be sure to paint over what you grind down to clean metal.

I would be really surprised if ANYONE at a dealer knew what those are. I bet this is a one in 10000 occurrence.

 

Alex,
Thanks again for solving my mystery. I do hate to start cutting on a new truck so maybe I will hold off a bit until I bash my head sliding under the truck. This forum is great. You are right, nobody at the dealership had any idea what the brackets were for.
Bob

 

I'd leave them. They're not interfering with anything. It's kind of neat, actually.